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  Barcode readerUSPTO Application #: 20060231628Title: Barcode reader Abstract: A barcode reader is provided, able to turn on/off power or scanning function by itself according to use condition. The main structure thereof comprises a light source module, image sensor, information transferring device, and sensing device, wherein the sensing device is used to sense whether the light signal received by the image sensor changes during an interval of time and control on/off of the power or scanning function of internal elements in the barcode reader according to the change of the light signal. This way, not only the convenience in use can be raised, but also an object of saving energy and increasing lifetime of the barcode reader can be achieved. (end of abstract) Agent: Rosenberg, Klein & Lee - Ellicott City, MD, US Inventor: Dung Lung Wei USPTO Applicaton #: 20060231628 - Class: 235462300 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Registers, Coded Record Sensors, Particular Sensor Structure, Optical, Bar Code, Scanner Power On/off The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060231628. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention is related to barcode reader and more particularly to a barcode reader being able to turn on/off power or scanning function by itself according to use condition. Not only the convenience in use can be raised, but also an object of saving energy and increasing lifetime of the barcode reader can be achieved. BACKGROUND [0002] Since barcode system has various advantages, such as accurately controlling product streams, quickly valuating product sales, conveniently collecting and sorting data, and widely applying in product categories. Therefore, it is common to use in various product labels and markets. The managing efficiency of users is obviously and effectively improved. [0003] The barcode system generally comprises: an encoder for encoding product data to barcode signals, a barcode printer for printing the barcode signals, a barcode reader for scanning and scanning product barcode signals, a decoder for transforming the barcode signals to digital barcode data, and an application interface (API) for corresponding the digital barcode data to product data and continuing post-processing data. Therein, since the barcode reader is the intermediate bridge in data transferring of the entire system, and it is directly controlled and operated by users, it is thus treated as the most important core device. Of all the barcode system products developed in the art, the barcode reader has the most various differences. [0004] Prior art barcode reader and the scanning process thereof are shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. When the user wants to operate the barcode reader 10 to scan the product barcode 20, first the barcode reader 10 has to be accurately aimed at the position of the barcode 20 to be read, as shown in step 210. Next, a switch 14 is pushed to command the light source module 11 set at the front end of the barcode reader 10 to obtain the supply of a working power (not shown) and project a scanning light 12 to the barcode 20 to be read, as shown in step 220. After the barcode 20 to be read is illuminated by the scanning light 12, generated reflection barcode signal 125 is activated by at least one reflective mirror 13 or lens 15 set in the barcode reader 10 to be guided to the image sensor 17, as shown in step 230. The image sensor 17 receives the reflection barcode signal 125, as shown in step 240. The analog type of reflection barcode signal 125 is then transferred to a decoder 18, and the decoder 18 transforms such analog type of reflection barcode signal 125 to digital barcode data 185, as shown in step 250. The decoded digital barcode data 185 is transferred to an information system 195 comprising an application interface therein through a data transferring device 19 and transferring line 193, as shown in step 260. [0005] By the previous mentioned steps, the data scanning operations of barcodes 20 are elementarily completed. Next, go to step 270 to choose whether to continue to use the barcode reader 10 to proceed scanning other barcode data. If choose to continue to use the barcode reader 10 to proceed scanning other barcode data 185, then the user will continue to push the switch 14 to be beneficial to generating the scanning light 12 and proceeding scanning other barcode 20, repeatedly proceeding step 210. If choose not to continue to use the barcode reader 10, then the user could turn off the switch 17 to let the barcode reader 10 go into a sleep state, as shown in step 280. [0006] While the prior art barcode reader 10 can achieve the function of scanning and scanning the product barcode; however, after the user pushes the switch 14 for a long time, he/she will fell tired. At this time, if the light source module 11 at the front end of the barcode reader 10 is changed to a continued scanning light, the previous situation can be effectively avoided from occurring. Nevertheless, if the barcode reader 10 was not used for a long time, but all elements were still supplied power or in scanning state, not only the energy was wasted, but also the lifetime of the barcode reader 10 would be shortened. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0007] Accordingly, how to design a novel barcode reader which is not only convenient for users to use in a long time but also saves energy and extends the lifetime of the barcode reader is the key point of the present invention. [0008] It is a primary object of the present invention to provide a barcode reader. By applying a sensing device, when the barcode reader is in an unused state for a long time, the power of internal elements or scanning function thereof could be automatically turned off to achieve saving energy and extending the lifetime of the elements. [0009] It is a secondary object of the present invention to provide a barcode reader. By setting up a sensing device, the barcode reader in a sleep state can be automatically activated to be beneficial to the convenience for users in use. [0010] It is another object of the present invention to provide a barcode reader. The light source module thereof can automatically turn off the scanning light while not in operation thereby reducing the doubt of the scanning light might cause damage to human beings. [0011] To achieve the previous mentioned objects, the present invention provides a barcode reader whose main structure comprises: a light source module for generating a scanning light and aiming light automatically generating a reflection barcode signal after illuminating a barcode; an image sensor provided at a back end of the light source module for selectively receiving and processing one of the reflection barcode signal and an incident light source signal input externally; an information transferring device provided at a back end of the image sensor for transferring the barcode signal processed by the image sensor to an information system; and a sensing device fixed provided in the barcode reader for sensing change of the incident light source signal during an interval as a base of the working power source on/off of the barcode reader. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS [0012] FIG. 1 is a structural cross sectional diagram of a prior art barcode reader. [0013] FIG. 2 is flow chart of the scanning operations of the prior art barcode reader. [0014] FIG. 3 is a structural cross sectional diagram of a preferred embodiment of a barcode reader of the present invention. [0015] FIG. 4 is flow chart of the scanning operations of the present invention. [0016] FIG. 5 is a structural cross sectional diagram of an alternate embodiment of the present invention. [0017] FIG. 6 is a structural cross sectional diagram of an alternate embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0018] The structural features and the effects to be achieved may further be understood and appreciated by reference to the presently preferred embodiments together with the detailed description. [0019] Please refer to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, respectively a structural cross sectional diagram and a flow chart of the scanning operations of a preferred embodiment of a barcode reader of the present invention. As shown, the barcode reader 30 mainly comprises a light source module 31, reflective mirror 33, lens 35, image sensor 37, decoder 38, and data transferring device 39. Therein, the data transferring device 39 uses a transferring line 393 to connect to an information system 395. A sensing device 36 is further set in the information system 395 or the barcode reader 30. The sensing device 36 is able to detect the change of an incident light source signal 325 received by the image sensor 37 and decide whether the internal elements of the barcode reader 30 can obtain power switch supplied from a working power (not shown) or scanning function based on the change of the incident light source signal 325. Continue reading... Full patent description for Barcode reader Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Barcode reader patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Barcode reader or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Security label which is optically read by terahertz radiation Next Patent Application: Optoelectronic device, process and article for acquiring machine-readable symbols, such as bar codes Industry Class: Registers ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Barcode reader patent info. 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